Term 2 is a big in the Neighbourhood House calendar with Neighbourhood House Week coming up in May. What are you planning to showcase the great work that happens at your house? This is a great way promote the value of neighbourhood houses. Julie JohnstonNENHN Manager

Governance Round Table 25 May

Congratulations to all the new committee and board members who have been recently elected at AGMs across the network. You may be wondering what you have signed up for... The NENHN will be hosting an evening forum for committees. Book here. Submit topics or questions you would like covered here.

Child Safe Standards

Are you aware of the Child Safe Standards? Click here to find out if your organisation is in Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the implementation. Phase 1 organisations (includes Childcare) requirements were to be in place by 1 January 2016.

What is FAC???

FAC stands for Funded Agency Channel. It is the web portal for organisations funded by the Department of Health and Human Development. Information about funding agreements and payments can be accessed here. Neighbourhood Houses have to update committee member details, upload Financial Accountability Requirement (FAR) and complete the risk attestation on this site. The department is offering training on how to use this site generally the third Wednesday of each month (except June will be on 15 June) Contact fac@dhhs.vic.gov.au to book.

Rate Capping Implications

No doubt you have all heard about council rate capping, also know as the Fair Go Rates System. This will potentially impact on neighbourhood houses in a number of ways: reduced community grant pools, less frequent maintenance on council owned properties, possible cuts to operational funding. Councils are already assessing their services as core and non-core. We need to ensure that neighbourhood houses are valued and recognised as core services. Now is the ideal time to strengthen the relationship with your local councillors and council staff. Invite them to your AGM, Neighbourhood House week events, anything that you do...

New Manager for Fitzroy Learning Network

A big welcome to Jemal Ahmet who has just started at FLN. Jemal brings a wealth of experience from his 18 years as EO at Whittlesea Community Connections. We are pleased that you are joining the neighbourhood houses network and look forward to working with you.

Vacancy at Living and Learning Nillumbik

Living & Learning Nillumbik have a vacancy for a highly experience and qualified trainer to deliver the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community). You will have extensive training experience either in the Aged and/or Home and Community Care or Nursing industry areas and will have current relevant industry experience. Details here.

Language and Computer Teacher Needed

Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre are looking for a teacher for their pre-accredited program. Please pass on to people in your networks. Position description here.

DGR Status - lessons learned

Reservoir Neighbourhood House has just received Deductible Gift Recipient status in their own right enabling them to attract philanthropic funding and individual donations that are tax deductible. Angie, the manager has offered to share her experience of the process to help others who are considering applying. Email me if you are interested in attending a session and I will organise it in a location to suit those interested.

Neighbourhood House Bus Tour

We had a great day on Thursday looking at four neighbourhood houses; discussing programs, processes and great ideas. It was a great way for co-ordinators and admin staff to connect with others and share information. A big thank you to the houses that hosted. I am considering running another tour in the Jun/ July school holidays. Contact me if you, your staff or committee members are interested in going.

NHCP Guidelines

The Neighbourhood House Coordination Program Guidelines are available now! Click here. This is a key document that all coordinators and committees should be familiar with. Take some time to go through it at a committee meeting. Learn about the Neighbourhood House community development six stages. Check if you are compliant with the guidelines around activity levels and hours of opening. It's a must read document and you get to see some photos of some houses in our network.

Neighbourhood Houses - a strategy for the future

You are invited to a conversation at Neighbourhood Houses Victoria about ideas for the future of neighbourhood houses. We know that changes are coming. How do we want to respond? What will neighbourhood houses look like in 5 years? Imagine with us. Add this event to your calendar: 1 - 3pm Friday 20 May. Register here.

New Collective Agreement

The new Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres Workplace agreement negotiations have been finalised! Watch our for NHVic updates with a summary of changes and what your house needs to do to sign onto the new agreement.

It's great to have more subscribers to this newsletter - all staff, volunteers and committee members are welcome to subscribe by emailing me. I hope you find the information relevant, stimulating and useful.
Bye for now
JJ